Are Log Homes Energy Effecient?

In a nutshell, yes. With logs you don’t only calculate the R- factor but you must factor in something called “Thermal Mass” which is the ability of an object to hold in heat or cold. You could think of log walls as a giant battery absorbing the sun in the deep winter and putting off that heat for hours after the sun is gone. This gives log walls the ability to perform as well or better than fiberglass insulation filled walls with a higher R- Value. According to tests done by the U.S. Department of Housing in the early 1980’s a log structure compared with a stud framed wall structure with a 17% higher R- Value measured favorably better. An annual average of about 20% to 30% savings is commonly achieved. Not only are log homes efficient but they also are a fail-safe insulation as you can have many common errors with fiberglass installation such as; too much compression, reducing the effective R-Value, or gaps especially around plumbing or wiring, causing drafts. Finally, if a fiberglass insulation is not installed with a moisture proof barrier you could end up with mold or mildew. Log walls insulation value are unaffected by moisture. The thermal mass also has a wonderful side benefit of being a very high sound barrier. Log homes are very quiet and peaceful deadening the noise of the outside world and letting you enjoy what matters inside. It is nice to have such a beautiful home made up of Nature’s natural building materials to create a simply superior and healthier product.

Are Log Homes Extra Flammable In A fire?

  No, quite the opposite actually. According to tests done at the PAVUS-Fire Research Institute, Czech Republic by the Technical University of Zvolen, Slovakia, Log homes are actually quite fire resistant. The test conducted with 10” spruce logs stacked 12 high with a chinkless scribe fit method and mineral wool insulation proved to be quite eye opening. The wall was constructed to 10’ high and was tested in temperature and load bearing capabilities during a fire. With one side being exposed to a furnace the wall was exposed to 2,000 deg. F. and even at three hours the cool side never exceeded 118 deg. F!  No Smoke or flames ever penetrated the wall. Milled and chinked walls have endured similar testing resulting in temperatures above 200 deg. F. and a load bearing failure at 112 minutes compared to 172 minutes with a scribe fit wall. Scribe fit logs actually show better integrity, insulation, and load bearing capacity than the chinked or milled log walls tested by other laboratories. Not to mention far outperforming conventional construction methods.

For further information refer to the Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, Vol. 11, August 2001

Do Log Homes Require More Maintenance?

Do you have to paint your frame house? Or clean the gutters? A log home is no different. Yes, you do need to seal the wood and keep the elements out, but not any more than one would need to paint their home. You may need to do a couple of treatments the first 5 years of your new log home but after that it is really no different than a conventional home’s maintenance. When we build your home we will also clean and buff the logs and then apply a beautiful sealant to protect your home. We also spray a natural anti-fungal and non-toxic insect repellant in the lateral grooves of every log wall. Conventional homes have sealed wall cavities where mold, termites or rodents may develop without knowing there is a problem until it is costly to fix. Log walls are generally simple to maintain since all you need to do is simply take a stroll around your home and catch any problems before they become costly situations. We also incorporate longer eaves in our designs to protect your home from damaging rain and U.V. rays, further minimizing maintenance requirements.

How Is The Resale Value?

Log homes are generally built to a much higher standard and have superior craftsmanship with a lot of custom touches and finishing accents to really set them apart. Because of this, they time and time again regularly appraise higher than comparably sized conventional homes and are more desirable. Square foot for square foot they are historically a better investment and will sell for more money, every time.

How Long Will They Last?

Log homes are incredibly sturdy and stand up extremely well to the elements. There are many stories of these homes surviving Hurricane Katrina and Rita. This seems perfectly normal considering normal homes are just a frame wall covered with insulation and drywall where a log home is solid wood. There is still-standing and still-occupied log homes in Europe dating back over 800 years! You can’t say that about your great grandfather’s ranch house. Log homes are more than a residence, they are a legacy left for generations to come to enjoy over and over again.